Susun Weed’s response:
Interstitial cystitis is a chronic inflammation of the space between lining of the urinary bladder and its muscle. Soothing herbs such as slippery elm and marshmallow root, taken as teas, (not tinctures, not capsules), can help relieve pain and strengthen the bladder. I find comfrey leaf infusion (made by brewing one ounce of dried comfrey leaf in a quart of boiling water for 4 hours) an incredible ally in easing burning sensations in the bladder and vagina. You can drink it and/or use it as a sitz bath.

These powerful anti-inflammatory herbs, used as tinctures only, can make all the difference. Choose only one and work with it for at least a month.

Osha root (Ligusticum porterii) tincture, 3-5 drops at a time, repeated up to four times a day, stops swelling in mucus tissues; try it if your belly feels heavy and full.

Poke root (Phytolacca americana) tincture, 1-2 drops at a time and only once a day, has a special affinity for women and the pelvis; try it if your pain is cyclical.

Black cohosh root (Cimicifuga racemosa) tincture, 10-15 drops, up to three times a day, is a menopause herb that is also an antispasmodic; try it if your pain that is sharp and stabbing.

St. Joan’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), 20-30 drops, as many as six times a day, relieves nerve pain; try it if your pain is electrical.

Acupuncture treatments may relieve IC. Many practitioners insist that you come regularly for many months before expecting improvement. This is not true for those dealing with interstitial cystitis. According to one expert, Dr Matthew Lee, half of those who will experience relief will do so in three sessions, and 95 percent of those who will benefit will do so in six sessions.

Vaginal estrogen creams can reduce symptoms for some menopausal women according to MD Elizabeth Lee Vliet. She cautions that progesterone tends to inhibit formation of the protective lining of the bladder and is therefore contraindicated for women with IC.

Drugs such as Ibuprofen and prescription antidepressants such as Elavil, taken in small doses (10- 40mg a day at bedtime) can block pain, calm spasms, and decrease inflammation.

Avoid aspirin; it is associated with bleeding of the mucosal membranes, a potentially dangerous side effect for those with IC. Over-the-counter cold medicines, cough syrups, diet pills, or anything else containing drugs which increase the production of norepinephrine make IC worse.

Avoid treatments that deliver steroids, anti-inflammatory agents, or anti-clotting drugs by catheter directly into the bladder. Only half of the women treated will experience any lessening of pain, and only after 6 months to a year. Avoid urethral dilations which generally do more harm than good.

Women who have their bladder removed in hopes of removing the source of their pain frequently suffer from “phantom bladder” pain.

Women who have undergone hysterectomy find it aggravates the symptoms of IC. Nearly half (44%) of women with IC have had their uterus removed.

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Susun Weed

CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING NEW QUESTIONS

Susun is the voice of the Wise Woman tradition and is known internationally as an extraordinary teacher with an encyclopedic knowledge of herbs and health. For more than thirty years she has been restoring herbs as women's common medicine, empowering women to care for themselves.

Susun has appeared on national television and radio, including National Public Radio (NPR), NBC News and CNN.

She raises dairy goats, trains apprentices, and oversees the work of more than four hundred correspondence course students. She is also the editor-in-chief of Ash Tree Publishing, founder of the Wise Woman Center, creator of five websites, and author of several books on women’s health.

Please note: In this column, Planet Thrive presents answers taken from previously published works of Susun's that relate directly to the question being posed. Susun Weed will answer member questions as her schedule allows. In some cases, Karen Joy (Susun Weed's apprentice) may answer questions on Susun's behalf.
This content is not intended to replace conventional western medical treatment. Any suggestions made and all herbs listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, condition or symptom. Personal directions and use should be provided by a clinical herbalist or other qualified healthcare practitioner with a specific formula for you. All material in this column is provided for general information purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health and healthcare.
All content copyrighted by Susun Weed and may appear on her website and in other published works. For permission to reuse her material, please email her through SusunWeed.com.

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